Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Hey all, I just got back from checking out the Great Smoky mountains and the Pigeon Forge area of East Tennessee. I took the Ram, and it ran well as always! Logged some 1750 Mi total. Loaded with luggage and stuff to the tailgate. Fuel consumption was 18 MPG avg on the total trip. This included putting around the area, and blasting up mountains. Zero fluid usage of any kind. I was shadowed by a friend and his family in their late model Mutsubishi Outlander small SUV and this provided a comparison. He didn't do much better on mileage- hard numbers yet to come.
I gotta say we all really enjoyed it. It was a reality check and a contrast to how life is lived in my Northeastern area. The area is beautiful and peaceful on the backroads, but very vibrant on the "strip" sections of the parkway in Gatlinburg and PF.
We stayed in a large rented log cabin overlooking PF and had a great view of the mountains to the south and west of us. I took one trip over the range and into Cherokee, NC but did not have as much time to spend as I wanted. That road is amazing- and a challenge. No wonder the area is a magnet to motorcycle riders of all types. The weather- on a scale to 10 was a 7. I had hoped for clearer conditions, but that adds to the list for a return visit in the future. It also made me understand why they're called the Great Smokys! We also visited Dollywood, which is very nicely decorated and manicured, but showing some age. The pleasant surprises there were Craftsman alley and the Dollywood Express. Craftsman alley is where trades like Blacksmithing, glass blowing, wagon making, wood working, leather working, candle making and such are showcased. My daughter actually made her own glass Christmas ornament with the help of the expert there. The Dolly Express is a open car train pulled by Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2. The ride was awesome! Great memories made, and return trip to spend more time with nature is planned.
Images are lo res from my phone...
The parkway going over the mountain.
The view from our deck.
The Dollywood Express. A resize from the Nikon.
All photos are the property of Wayne M.
I gotta say we all really enjoyed it. It was a reality check and a contrast to how life is lived in my Northeastern area. The area is beautiful and peaceful on the backroads, but very vibrant on the "strip" sections of the parkway in Gatlinburg and PF.
We stayed in a large rented log cabin overlooking PF and had a great view of the mountains to the south and west of us. I took one trip over the range and into Cherokee, NC but did not have as much time to spend as I wanted. That road is amazing- and a challenge. No wonder the area is a magnet to motorcycle riders of all types. The weather- on a scale to 10 was a 7. I had hoped for clearer conditions, but that adds to the list for a return visit in the future. It also made me understand why they're called the Great Smokys! We also visited Dollywood, which is very nicely decorated and manicured, but showing some age. The pleasant surprises there were Craftsman alley and the Dollywood Express. Craftsman alley is where trades like Blacksmithing, glass blowing, wagon making, wood working, leather working, candle making and such are showcased. My daughter actually made her own glass Christmas ornament with the help of the expert there. The Dolly Express is a open car train pulled by Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2. The ride was awesome! Great memories made, and return trip to spend more time with nature is planned.
Images are lo res from my phone...
The parkway going over the mountain.
The view from our deck.
The Dollywood Express. A resize from the Nikon.
All photos are the property of Wayne M.
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